RBATF Region Team led by NPC Maestre together with DOH-FDA Head Ms. Leny Perez in the recently concluded RBATF Meeting last December 2015Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration teamed up with the National Nutrition Council Region 02 to ensure a stronger and strict implementation of National Salt Iodization Program in the region last December 3 at Alaminos, Pangasinan.

As discussed during the last Quarter Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF), Ms. Leni Perez, FDA-Supervisor, and Ms. Rhodora G. Maestre, Nutrition Program Coordinator-NNC R-02, linked with each other to ensure that the realization and implementation of NSIP in the region will be more strict and effective.

They assured that they will work hand in hand especially in giving support to every situated Bantay Asin Checkpoints in the province, Sta. Fe and Kayapa in Nueva Vizcaya and Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan. Ms. Perez also guaranteed that their agency will fund the monitoring team needs such as WYD Iodine Checker and Re agent solution which are necessary in the said checkpoints.

Further, DOH-FDA will discussed with their office the proposal of leading the RBATF for 2016, which is stated in the Law, but NPC Maestre still pledged NNC’s commitment despite of the changes that will happen.

As recorded, RBATF monitoring team halted a total of 738, 498 kgs of Salt wherein 57, 449 kgs failed the required iodine content of 30-70ppm.

Maestre said that this proves the effectiveness of RBATF R-02 in the implementation of RA 8172 or ASIN Law. “RBATF R-02 ensures that only adequately odized salt will be present in the region,” she added.
After the meeting, RBATF R-02 proceeded in Pacific Farm Incorporated Agri-Eco tours to observe the salt making process of one of the biggest salt manufacturers in the country, Fidel Salt. Also, the team witnessed the proper iodization done by the said company; it ranges from 60-80ppm. Lastly, DOH-FDA and NNC R-02 remain with high hopes towards a more committed and effective RBATF R-02 in the future.